AN Army regiment that is set to be disbanded to honour the town nearest their base with a parade.

Soldiers from 9 Regiment Army Air Corps (9 Regt AAC), based at Dishforth Airfield, will march through Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, for a final time before it ceases flying there early next year as part of the Army’s 2020 restructuring programme.

The parade on Thursday (May 21) will be led by the Band of the Parachute Regiment, starting from Coronation Hall at 11.45am, with soldiers marching along Fishergate and the High Street, before arriving at St James Square.

The Mayor of Boroughbridge, Councillor Kenny Fuller, is a former member of the regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Cook, commanding officer of 9 Regt AAC, said: “As the regiment enters its final year before disbandment it has been granted the privilege of exercising its Freedom of Boroughbridge for a final time.

“The regiment is very keen to honour and thank the people of Boroughbridge and the local area for the support and friendship they have given the Regiment over the past 23 years.”

The regiment has been stationed at Dishforth since 1992 and has supported combat and humanitarian operations worldwide including Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, the Philippines and Afghanistan.

The roles of the regiment have changed from anti-tank, to attack and finally to reconnaissance during which time it has flown Gazelle, Lynx, and Apache helicopters.